Update with sima-cli

This method allows developers to update the firmware on a SiMa.ai MLSoC DevKit using the sima-cli tool. This approach downloads the firmware image to the host machine and transfers it to the DevKit for update.

Note

Please install or upgrade sima-cli before continuing. This guide is intended for use with the latest sima-cli version.

Before proceeding, ensure the host machine can reach the DevKit over the network. Refer to:

Use this command from the host machine:

sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli update --ip {ip_address_of_the_devkit} 1.7.0

This command also installs the appropriate Linux driver version on the host, if applicable.

If you have downloaded the firmware and hosted somewhere on your network, you can provide the URL to avoid repeatedly downloading from the Internet.

sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli update --ip {ip_address_of_the_devkit} http://your-server/image.tar.gz

Alternatively, developers can run sima-cli directly on the standalone DevKit. Ensure the DevKit has an active Internet connection, then execute:

davinci:~$ sima-cli update 1.7.0

Similar to the host update procedure, developers can specify a full URL to replace the version string.

davinci:~$ sima-cli update http://your-server/image.tar.gz

The Modalix DevKit supports the Full image flavor. To update the device with the Full image, use the following command:

sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli update --ip {ip_address_of_the_devkit} 1.7.0 --flavor full

If the --flavor argument is omitted, the update defaults to the Headless image. The user can also explicitly specify headless image.

sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli update --ip {ip_address_of_the_devkit} 1.7.0 --flavor headless

If the developer prefers to download only the firmware image and perform the update using advanced, manual steps, they can do so by executing.

# For Modalix DevKit and Early Access Kit (headless image)
sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli download https://docs.sima.ai/pkg_downloads/SDK1.7.0/devkit/modalix/yocto/simaai-devkit-fw-modalix-yocto-1.7.0.tar.gz

# For Modalix DevKit (full image)
sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli download https://docs.sima.ai/pkg_downloads/SDK1.7.0/devkit/modalix/yocto/simaai-devkit-fw-modalix-yocto-full-1.7.0.tar.gz

# For MLSoC DevKit (headless image)
sima-user@sima-user-machine:~$ sima-cli download https://docs.sima.ai/pkg_downloads/SDK1.7.0/devkit/davinci/yocto/simaai-devkit-fw-davinci-yocto-1.7.0.tar.gz

Note

For PCIe system update:

Starting with firmware version 1.5, a virtual Ethernet interface can be used in PCIe mode, eliminating the need for physical cabling to the DevKit. This enables seamless updates over an existing PCIe connection.
For firmware version 1.4 or earlier, a direct network connection must be established with the DevKit. In this case, connect the DevKit in standalone mode or use the Palette-Assisted Update method instead.